Locomotive Air Compressor Crankcase with Oil Drain Valve

Abstract

A crankcase for a locomotive air compressor including a body defining an interior space, a port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body, a valve receiving portion adjacent to and surrounding the port, and an oil drain valve engaged with the valve receiving portion and having a flow passageway in fluid communication with the port. The oil drain valve has an open position and a closed position, such that the oil drain valve in the open position allows oil to flow from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway, and the oil drain valve in the closed position prevents the flow of oil from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway. A method for installing a locomotive air compressor having the crankcase and oil drain valve is also disclosed.

1 . A crankcase for a locomotive air compressor comprising:
 a body defining an interior space and comprising a port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body;   a valve receiving portion adjacent to and surrounding the port; and   an oil drain valve engaged with the valve receiving portion and having a flow passageway in fluid communication with the port.   
   
   
       2 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the oil drain valve has an open position and a closed position, such that the oil drain valve in the open position allows oil to flow from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway, and the oil drain valve in the closed position prevents the flow of oil from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway. 
   
   
       3 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the valve receiving portion includes a substantially flat area, an annular depression adapted to secure an o-ring, and a recessed area for housing at least a portion of the oil drain valve. 
   
   
       4 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a second port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body, a plug fitting receiving portion, and a plug fitting engaged with the plug fitting receiving portion and in fluid communication with the second port. 
   
   
       5 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the plug fitting is adapted to receive a plug for preventing the flow of oil through the second port. 
   
   
       6 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the fitting receiving portion includes a substantially flat area, an annular depression adapted to secure an o-ring, and a recessed area. 
   
   
       7 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the oil drain valve has a flange with through holes, the valve receiving portion has threaded holes corresponding to and aligned with the through holes in the flange, and bolts inserted through the through holes in the flange engage the threaded holes of the valve receiving portion for securing the oil drain valve to the valve receiving portion. 
   
   
       8 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the oil drain valve comprises a ball valve. 
   
   
       9 . A crankcase for a locomotive air compressor comprising:
 a body having an interior space and comprising a port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body; and   an oil drain valve having a flow passageway substantially aligned with the port.   
   
   
       10 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the oil drain valve has an open position and a closed position, such that the oil drain valve in the open position allows oil to flow from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway, and the oil drain valve in the closed position prevents the flow of oil from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway. 
   
   
       11 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the oil drain valve has a flange with through holes, the body has a pair of threaded holes corresponding to and aligned with the through holes in the flange, and bolts inserted through the through holes in the flange engage the threaded holes of the body for securing the oil drain valve to the body. 
   
   
       12 . The crankcase for a locomotive air compressor in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the oil drain valve comprises a ball valve. 
   
   
       13 . A method for installing a compressor on a locomotive comprising the steps of:
 providing a compressor for a locomotive, wherein the compressor has a crankcase comprising a body defining an interior space, a port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body, a valve receiving portion adjacent to and surrounding the port, and an oil drain valve engaged with the valve receiving portion and having a flow passageway in fluid communication with the port;   adding oil to the crankcase; and   installing the compressor on a compressor platform located on the locomotive.   
   
   
       14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising the step of securing a drain pipe to the oil drain valve for routing drained oil away from the compressor. 
   
   
       15 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the oil drain valve has an open position and a closed position, such that the oil drain valve in the open position allows oil to flow from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway, and the oil drain valve in the closed position prevents the flow of oil from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway. 
   
   
       16 . The method in accordance with  claim 15 , further comprising the step of transitioning the oil drain valve between the closed position and the open position. 
   
   
       17 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the body further comprises a second port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body, a plug fitting receiving portion, and a plug fitting engaged with the plug fitting receiving portion and in fluid communication with the second port, the method further comprising inserting a plug into the plug fitting for preventing the flow of oil through the second port. 
   
   
       18 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the fitting receiving portion includes a substantially flat area, an annular depression adapted to secure an o-ring, and a recessed area.